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It was written by Show Palace artistic director Matthew McGee, choreographer Tyler Fish (Cosmo in Singin' in the Rain) and new resident musical director Michael Ursua, who is also part of the Disney Cruise Line creative team and has written several shows for them.

"It's going to be a much different Christmas show from what we've had before," said Tom Hansen, the theatre's award-winning scenic and lighting designer.

"We have live music, and we're creating 'snow' on the stage," Hansen said. There's a big Santa Claus and a sleigh, too.

"This show has a little more of a Broadway feel" than more recent holiday shows, he said. "It should be fun."

The musical replicates popular television Christmas specials from the 1950s and '60s, with classic carols, big production numbers and new songs created by Ursua, according to Susan Haldeman, the company manager and co-star of the show.

In the show, Mr. and Mrs. Kris Kringle (Phillip Wayne Butts in his Show Palace debut and Ms. Haldeman, Domina in Funny/Forum and Vera Charles in Mame) are struggling to save the Christmas spirit in an increasingly cynical world.

Joined by a troupe of red hat ladies, a U.S. Senator (Sara DelBeato, Smokey Joe's Cafe), a harried television producer and a group of magical elves, they have just 48 hours to save the season.

When: Nov. 27-Dec. 25. Shows at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and some Thursdays (doors open at 6 p.m. for cash bar and included buffet); 3 p.m. Sundays (doors open at 1 p.m.); and 1:15 p.m. most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (doors open at 11:30 a.m.).

Tickets: Dinner and show, $46; show only, $34.95; ages 12 and younger, $28.45 and $23.45; all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1-888-655-7469.